Energy efficient apparatus

ABSTRACT

An energy efficient apparatus suitable for use in hot, arid climates wherein a source of water is available includes in combination; a rotating wheel member which utilizes the buoyancy of outwardly extending members and a pair of temperature sensitive devices responsive to the change in ambient temperature to cause the moment about the axis of the rotating wheel member to increase, thereby aiding in the rotation of the rotating wheel member providing continuous output energy. The increase of the mechanical moment is caused by the mechanical change in position of an outwardly extending member and provides a portion of the energy obtained thereby to a spring and escapement mechanism which further couples additional energy to support the rotation of the rotating wheel member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to prime sources of energy and, inparticular, relates to an energy efficient apparatus that uses thesurrounding elements to provide continuous output energy which may bestored and then used at a later time to drive a plurality of differentoutput mechanisms.

2. Discussion of the Relevant Art

The art abounds with energy efficient devices, all of which attempt toutilize natural sources of energy in order to aid in the generation ofpower for commercial use. Some of these devices utilize the flow ofwater such as occurring in waterfalls, and rivers or may utilize thenatural elements such as the wind and sun to provide sources of energy.These devices have generally met with various degrees of success and aresuitable for many applications wherein a continuous energy source is notrequired. The energy obtained from the natural sources, as is well knownin the art, may be stored in batteries, underground heat reservoirs andmay also include potential energy obtained by raising water to a levelabove that at which it is to be used and recovering this energy bypermitting the water to flow to the lower level when needed.

The present device overcomes many of the shortcomings found in the priorart devices by providing a device capable of using a plurality of thenatural elements that occur in a hot, arid climate wherein a source ofwater is available. The combination thereof being capable of providing asource of continuous energy, which may be stored, as is well known inthe art, for future use.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide areliable, relatively inexpensive source of energy which utilizes thesurrounding elements to generate same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reliable,efficient source of energy that is ideally suitable for use in hot, aridclimates where a source of water is available.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a relativelysimple apparatus capable of using the surrounding elements forgenerating a continuous source of energy.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a relativelyinexpensive efficient apparatus which may be installed by relativelyinexperienced personnel.

The foregoing and other objects of advantages will appear from thedescription to follow. In the description reference is made to theaccompanying drawing which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may bepracticed. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best definedby the appended claims.

An energy efficient apparatus suitable for use in hot, arid climateswherein a source of water is available, according to the principals ofthe present invention, comprises in combination; a wheel member having ahub portion and a rim portion. The wheel portion is submerged within thewater to a depth sufficient to more than immerse the wheel member hubportion. The wheel member has a plurality of spokes equally disposedabout the circumference of the hub portion between the hub portion andthe rim portion. The rim portion includes a hollow generally roundshaped member open at one end. The hollow member is substantially rigid,buoyant and selected to displace more water than its weight. Atemperature sensitive expansion device is affixed to the closed end ofthe hollow member. A temperature sensitive displacement device isdisposed within the temperature sensitive expansion device and has theability to move between only two stable positions responsive to a changein ambient temperature. The spoke device includes a hollow shaft memberaffixed on one end to the hub portion and affixed on the other end tothe temperature sensitive expansion device. A solid rod member isdisposed within the hollow shaft member and affixed on one end to thetemperature sensitive device. The other end of the solid rod memberextends into the hub portion. The hub portion includes a fixed shaft andescapement and spring device, with the spring connected to theescapement gear and the other end thereof operatively coupled to the hubfor causing the escapement gear to transfer the movement of the secondtemperature sensitive device to the spring device. The energy stored inthe spring device is transferred to the hub portion in a direction tomaintain the wheel member rotating. An energy takeoff apparatus isdisposed upon the hub portion and is operatively coupled to autilization apparatus which may directly provide energy such aselectricity or be coupled to an apparatus which moves water to a higherlevel therefore providing a source of potential energy which may berecovered at a later time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawingin which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation, in elevation, of the preferredembodiment, according to the principles of present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1, with apreferred location of the apparatus in a stream of water;

FIG. 3 is a partial view in elevation of the expandable temperaturesensitive device with the two position temperature sensitive devicedisposed therein at its hottest temperature;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in elevation of the expandable temperaturesensitive device with the two position temperature sensitive devicedisposed therein at its coldest temperature;

FIG. 5 is a partial end view of the apparatus as disposed in FIGS. 3 and4;

FIG. 6 is a partial view in elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,with the hub portion enlarged and the apparatus positioned within aprotective barrier as shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of an example of an energyutilization device which may be coupled by a pulley to the output shaftof the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, inwhich there is shown an energy efficient apparatus 10 which includes awheel member 12 that is provided with a hub portion 14 and a rim portion16 with a plurality of spokes 18 disposed between the hub portion 14 andthe rim portion 16 equally spaced and rigidly affixed about thecircumference of the hub portion 14. The wheel member 12 is preferablysubmerged within a body of water 20 to a depth sufficient to more thanimmerse the hub portion 14 of wheel member 10 beneath the level of thewater at all times. The rim portion 16 positioned at the distal end ofthe plurality of spokes includes an expansible temperature sensitiveapparatus 22 which is affixed to each of the spokes in exactly the samemanner as the other end thereof is affixed to the hub portion 14.

The temperature expansible device 22 is cylindrically-shaped withaccordion type walls that readily expands with increasing temperatureand has affixed to one end thereof the spoke 18 which extends through anopening 24 provided in the rim portion 16 of the wheel member 12 and isshown more clearly in FIGS. 3 through 5. The other end of the expansibletemperature sensitive device 22 has affixed thereon, in a conventionalmanner, a hollow generally round shaped member 26 which preferably isrigid, buoyant and is selected to displace more water than its weight.The hollow opening 28 is generally cone shaped and preferably has theapex thereof 30 closest to the temperature sensitive expansible device22 so that the water 20 may readily fill the cone shaped opening uponthe submergence thereof into the water 20 and is capable of readilypermitting the water 20 to flow therefrom upon exiting the surface ofthe water, which will be explained in more detail hereinafter.Preferably the round shaped member 26 may be made from a syntheticmaterial such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

The temperature sensitive expansible device 22 has one end 30 affixedupon the rim 16 in a conventional manner such as welding, soldering, orany other suitable means that is capable of providing a watertight sealbetween the expansible device 22 and the rim 16 with a similarwatertight seal provided between the round shaped member 26 where, ofcourse, the seal is accomplished with an epoxy or adhesive 32, known bythose knowledgeable in the art.

Disposed within the expandable temperature sensitive device 22 are apair of telescoping brackets 34 each preferably being made of twomembers 36 and 38. Member 36 includes an outwardly extending protrusion40 adapted to cooperate with a slot 42 provided in member 38 permittingmovement (sliding) between the two members 36 and 38 of (pair 34), thusproviding a support for the temperature sensitive expandable device 22when caused to move in an outwardly or expanding direction. A secondtemperature sensitive member 44, preferably circularly-shaped has itscircumference affixed to members 38 of bracket pair 34. If the distalends of temperature sensitive member 44, affixed to members 38, move inan outwardly direction movement is permitted between members 36 and 38as required. Temperature sensitive member 44 has two stable states orpositions dependent upon or responsive to the ambient temperature intowhich the temperature sensitive member is placed. A typical temperaturesensitive device of this nature suitable for operation herein is abimetallic temperature device manufactured by Klixon a division of TexasInstruments, Inc. This device has a fixed stable position at onetemperature and snaps or moves to another position when the surroundingambient reaches the trip temperature point. The central portion 46 oftemperature sensitive member 44 is affixed to a preferably solid rodmember 48 and extends completely through the opening 50 provided in thespoke 18 extending into the hub portion 14 of the wheel member 12 and islubricated to move freely within spoke 18. Thus, when the temperaturesensitive member 44 changes from its hot position, shown in FIG. 3, toits cold position, shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the rod member is free tomove causing displacemeht of the expansible temperature sensitive device22 as well as the round shaped member 26.

The hub portion 14 includes a fixed shaft 52 which is retained in wallportion 54 in a conventional manner by a nut 56. Wall portion 54 ispreferably fabricated of concrete and as shown in FIG. 2 and positionedas shown in a flowing stream of water 20, if available. If a flowingstream were not available then wall portion 54 would be disposed a shortdistance from the shoreline 58. The deflecting wall portion 60 isprovided with an opening, preferably consisting of an elongatedrectangularly shaped aperture 62 positioned to permit water flowtherethrough at the level of the round shaped member 26 so that anywater flowing would act in a direction to continuously sustain therotation of wheel member 12. If, no moving water is available, thenthere would be no need for a deflecting wall portion 60. A second wallportion 64 has the other end of shaft 52 retained therein in a mannersimilar to that for the retention of the first end of said shaft. A pairof ball bearings 66 and 68 are placed proximate the ends of shaft 52 andis utilized to provide journaling of hollow hub portion 14 therearound.Ball bearings 66 and 68 provide for easy rotation of hub portion 14around shaft 52 and is positioned in wall members 54 and 64 for betterjournaling therearound. An output takeoff pulley 70 is provided on oneend 72 of hub portion 14 and may be coupled to an energy utilizationsource such as an electric generator 74 shown in FIG. 7 by means of abelt 76 coupled to the pulley 70, in a conventional manner. Other energyutilization devices may be coupled to the output pulley 70, as forexample, a device for lifting the water directly out of the river orlake for irrigation purposes may also be coupled to this source ofoutput power, by those knowledgeable in the art.

Journalled on output shaft 52 is an escapement gear 78 that is providedwith a plurality of teeth and a locking mechanism the conventional, typefor preventing the escapement gear from rotating in the wrong directionand losing the energy imparted to it by rotation. Energy imparting lever82 is pivoted about shaft 52, in a conventional manner, and is adaptedto cooperate with the teeth provided on escapement gear 78 and whenstriking the teeth causes rotation of the escapement gear. Affixed tothe side wall of escapement gear 78 is coil a spring 84 which is causedto tighten as the escapement gear 78 rotates. Spring 84 releases theenergy stored therein by having its other end connected, in aconventional manner by means of a rivet or screw 86, to the hub portion14. Thus, when the escapement gear 78 stops rotating or pauses spring 84transfers the energy stored therein to hub portion 14 to maintain itsrotation. The force to drive the energy lever 82 into contact with theteeth of the escapement gear 78 is obtained from the rod member 48 beingmoved within the hollow spokes 18. The movement thereof is obtained bythe sudden flexing of the temperature sensitive member 44 as explainedearlier.

The sudden movement of temperature sensitive member 44 causes both therod member 48 to move in an upwardly direction at the same time, causingan impact of the lever 82 with the escapement gear 78, thereby causingtelescoping members 36 and 38 to move apart and move the round shapedmember 26 in an outwardly or downwardly direction (further away from thecentrally disposed fixed shaft 52). Thus, the movement of round shapedmember 26 caused by the expansion of temperature sensitive expansibledevice 22 and/or temperature sensitive member 44 causes movement ofmember 26 either closer to or further from shaft 52 varying the momentof force therearound.

As shown in FIG. 2 the output or power takeoff pulley extends into anadditional compartment formed by walls 90, 92, and 94 and may includedtherein any type of energy utilizing device, as for example, theelectrical generator 74 described earlier. The volume formed by walls90, 92 and 94 is free of water and may contain generator equipment asdescribed earlier or alternatively may include a device for liftingwater therefrom and moving it to another area for irrigation purposes.The pulley is only one example of an output device and only one exampleof a device for utilizing the rotating output hub 14 having pulley 70affixed thereon.

Of course, as shown in FIG. 7, a gear box 96 can be included and affixedon shaft 98. On the other end of gear box 96 a shaft 102 may haveaffixed thereon a pulley 100 adapted to receive a belt 76 which in turn,as stated earlier, is operatively coupled to output pulley 70. Thus, theenergy appearing on output pulley 70 may be coupled in any number ofways by varying the ratio of pulley sizes, changing the gear box, etc.Any number of means for utilizing this available source of energyexists, only one of which may be an electrical generator. Thoseknowledgeable in the art are aware of any number of energy utilizingdevices that may be coupled to the rotating hub 14.

As shown in FIG. 6 the walls 54 and 64 are provided with a footing 55extending into the bottom of the water so that the walls are capable ofbeing maintained in position for a long period of time.

In operation, once the apparatus is installed in position its continuedrotation relies on multiple sources of natural energy for operation.Initially the device is subjected to direct sunlight. The sun causes thetemperature of the round members 26, extending above the water level, toexpand and evaporate any water appearing in the aperture 28. Expansionof the temperature expansible device shown as 22' would increase as itmoves directly out of the water to the central position until justbefore it reaches the water surface 104. The moment temperatureexpansible device 22 enters the water it begins to cool and tends tocompress just as an accordion compresses. The temperature sensitivemember 44 disposed within the expansible temperature member 22 assumesthe position shown in FIG. 3, since it is in its hottest (hightemperature) position and of course cools during the time it is immersedin the water, which occurs gradually. As the expansible member 22 tendsto cool it shrinks in size, therefore moving the round shaped member 26closer to the central shaft 52. Upon entering the water round shapedmember 26 takes on water and increases its mass and further helps thewheel member to rotate as the members 26 slowly sink into the water andcool when they approach the lowest position shown as 22" where thetemperature expansible device has decreased to its smallest size. With adelay occurring as member 26 stays at its deepest or lowermost position.The water temperature being cooler at that depth, as is well known, thetemperature sensitive member 44 changes its state from its position inFIG. 3 to its position in FIG. 4. The sudden change in position causesthe shaft 48 to move in an upwardly direction wherein the other end ofshaft 48 comes into contact with the energy lever 82 causing movementthereof wherein lever 82 strikes the teeth of escapement gear 78imparting energy thereto. At the same moment round member 26 is causedto move in the opposite direction away from central shaft 52, since thetelescoping members 36 and 38 are permitted to move in an outwardlydirection. The shape of opening 28 permits the output thrust caused bythe instantaneous change in state of temperature sensitive member 44 tomeet sufficient resistance to impart the necessary energy to energylever 82 at the same time moving round member 26 in an outwardlydirection. Spring 84 helps move the hub portion 14 in a direction tocontinue movement of round member 26 which it moves downwardly with itstemperature expansible device 22 while rod member 48 in an upwarddirection. A continuing rotational motion occurs since the floatationforces of round members 26 are the same on both sides of center shaft 52but with spoke 18 now effectively being elongated (26 being further awayfrom the center of shaft 52) a moment around shaft 52 is increased onthe left side of the diagram shown in FIG. 1 causing rotation in thedirection of arrows 106 which continues with the expansible temperaturedevice 22 tending to expand as the water temperature increases as thesurface of the water 104 is approached. As the surface of the water isapproached, the water retained an opening 26' tends to exit from theopening reducing the weight thereof and flotation on that side (upwardforces) further increases the moment in the direction of arrows 106.Thus energy is obtained by the increased moment caused by thedisplacement of round member 26 from the center shaft 52 and theadditional energy imparted by spring 84. As the round member 26 leavesthe surface of the water the sun causes evaporation of the remainingwater making it easier for the round portion to be raised to its peakposition and thus be heated to the ambient temperature by the sun'srays. The heating of course of the expansible member causes expansionand as the temperature rises the temperature sensitive member 44suddenly changes its state to that shown in FIG. 3 and the cycle isrepeated again and again.

If a moving body of water were available then the configuration asdisclosed could be aided by placing the energy efficient apparatus 10into the stream wherein the water flow indicated by arrows 108 isarranged to flow as indicated in FIG. 2 with the aperture 62 provided inwall 60 providing a controlled flow that aids in the direction ofrotation, thus reinforcing the other energy inputs to the system.

Of course, although only one type of energy output device has beenshown, it is to be expected that those knowledgeable in the art can comeup with any number of different ways of utilizing the relativelyinexpensive energy provided by the energy efficient apparatus disclosedherein.

Hereinbefore has been disclosed an energy efficient apparatus suitablefor use in climates that are hot and arid where a source of water isavailable. It will be understood that various changes in the details,materials, arrangements of parts and operating conditions which havebeen herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature ofthe invention may be made by those skilled in the art within theprinciples and scope of the instant invention.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention, what is claimedis:
 1. An energy efficient apparatus suitable for use in hot aridclimates wherein a source of water is available, comprising incombination:(A) a wheel member having a hub portion and a rim portion,said wheel portion being submerged within said water to a depthsufficient to more than immerse said wheel member hub portion, saidwheel member having a plurality of spoke means equally disposed of aboutthe circumference of said hub portion disposed between said hub portionand said rim portion, said rim portion including;(i) a hollow generallyround shaped member being open at one end, said hollow member beingsubstantially rigid, buoyant and displacing more water than its weight,(ii) first temperature sensitive means being expansible and affixed tothe closed end of said hollow member, and (iii) second temperaturesensitive means being disposed within said first temperature sensitivemeans, said second temperature sensitive means having the ability tomove only between two stable positions responsive to a change in ambienttemperature; said spoke means, including; (i) a hollow shaft memberaffixed on one end to said hub portion and affixed on the other end tosaid first temperature sensitive means, and (ii) a solid rod memberdisposed within said hollow shaft member affixed on one end to saidsecond temperature sensitive means, the other end of said solid rodmember extending into said hub portion; said hub portion being hollowand including; (i) fixed shaft means centrally disposed within saidhollow hub portion, (ii) escapement gear means operatively coupled tothe other end of said solid rod member for driving said escapement gearmeans, transferring the movement of said second temperature sensitivemeans to said escapement gear means, (iii) spring means connectedbetween said hub portion and said escapement gear means for transferringthe energy stored in said spring means, from the displacement of saidsolid rod means driving said escapement gear means, to said hub portionin a direction to maintain said wheel member rotating, and (iv) energytakeoff means disposed upon said hub portion; and (B) energy utilizationmeans operatively coupled to said energy takeoff means for providing auseable source of energy.
 2. An energy efficient apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said useable source of energy is an electrical generatoroperatively coupled to said energy takeoff means.
 3. An energy efficientapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said utilization means includes adevice for raising water to a higher level than normal to obtain asource of potential energy for later utilization.
 4. An energy efficientapparatus according to claim 3 wherein said utilization means includes awater pump.
 5. An energy efficient apparatus according to claim 1wherein said round shaped member has a hollow inner chamber formed toexpel essentially all of its contents upon leaving said water.
 6. Anenergy efficient apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said roundshaped member has a hollow inner chamber formed to receive a maximumamount of water upon entering said water.
 7. An energy efficientapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first temperature sensitiveexpansion means includes a pair of telescoping side members, said secondtemperature sensitive means being disposed between said pair oftelescoping side members, the center portion of said temperaturesensitive means moving between a first position when at a relatively hottemperature and a second position when at a relatively cold temperature,said first temperature sensitive expansion means being urged to anexpanded position when said second temperature sensitive means is insaid second position, one end of said solid rod member being affixed tosaid center portion of said temperature sensitive means.
 8. An energyefficient apparatus according to claim 1 when said first temperaturesensitive expansion means is hollow, cylindrically-shaped and has anexpansible circumferential surface.